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Braxton Ashcraft isn’t flashy — but he might be becoming one of the most trusted arms in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation.

In today’s episode of Locked On Pirates, we break down why Ashcraft’s spring performance is forcing a real conversation about his role in the 2026 rotation, trust, and workload. With elite command, minimal walks, and a calm presence on the mound, Ashcraft is starting to look less like “one of the names” and more like a pillar behind Paul Skenes.

On today’s show:

Why Braxton Ashcraft’s spring stats tell a deeper story than ERA
How trust, command, and usage matter more than raw stuff
Pirates–Tigers Spring Breakout preview and why it still matters without the headliners
AMA questions on innings limits, player development failures, Don Kelly pressure, and a dark‑horse award candidate for 2026

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